HIGHLIGHTS
- Search
for iconic arctic wildlife, such as whales, seals and seabirds
- Explore
the Ilulissat Icefjord and Kujataa farming communities, both UNESCO
World Heritage Sites
- Meet
locals and experience traditional Inuit settlements
- Visit
Norse historical sites and learn about this fascinating culture
- Cruise
in a Zodiac to explore icebergs, glaciers, fjords and more
- Immerse
yourself in the icy realm of the Arctic with optional kayaking
adventures
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 1,295 per person
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Mandatory Transfer Package Details:Package Cost: USD 1,295 per person
ITINERARY
Day
1 - Arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive
in the Icelandic capital and make your way to your included hotel. You
will have the day to explore the city on your own.
Day
2 - Embarkation Day in Reykjavik
This
afternoon, you’ll board your vessel and begin your
expedition. Get ready for a great adventure ahead!
Day
3 - At Sea
As
we cruise across the Denmark Strait, your Expedition Team will teach
you about the wildlife and storied history of Greenland, its
fascinating geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you
will soon explore. Staff will also keep watch for the seabirds
you’ll likely see soaring above your ship, as well as the
whales that can be encountered here.
Days
4 and 5 - Exploring East Greenland
Your
exploration of Greenland begins with East Greenland, one of the least
visited and most remote parts of the island. Your days sailing along
the coast will be guided by weather and ice conditions, with each day
and each excursion presenting new adventures. The region is a sight to
behold, boasting a mesmerizing maze of vast glaciers, steep mountains
and breathtaking fjords.
One
location we hope to visit if conditions allow is Skjoldungen, where
you’ll cruise between the mountains to view glaciers deep
within the fjords surrounding this island. The narrow part of the fjord
provides an ideal place to put our Zodiacs in the water for a more
in-depth exploration.
If
conditions allow, you may also visit the site of an abandoned Inuit
settlement, whose inhabitants were relocated to larger, more accessible
towns around 1961. Exploring ashore, you’ll experience a true
arctic ghost town, complete with abandoned buildings, furniture and
even shoes! Hiking the rugged terrain rewards with impressive views of
snow-capped mountains, deep green waters and the surprisingly colorful
arctic tundra. This site is prone to insects, however, so have your
spray or netting at the ready.
If
you’re feeling even more adventurous, perhaps
you’ll treat yourself to an optional paddling excursion
(extra cost), an unforgettable opportunity to glide past icebergs and
glaciers and capture some photographs from a unique perspective.
Another
possible destination is Lindenow Fjord, a great spot for Zodiac
cruising, if conditions are favorable. This rarely visited deep fjord
is fed by a number of glaciers and offers ample opportunities for your
camera to get a workout. You’ll also want to keep watch for
bearded seals, as they’re known to haul out on the ice floes.
Days
6 and 7 - Exploring South Greenland
Sailing
on, we’ll explore Greenland’s fertile southern
coast. Nicknamed Arctic Patagonia, this region is as rich in
spectacular scenery as it is in history and culture. Here,
it’s easy to see why Erik the Red gave Greenland its name:
everywhere you look rewards with vistas of icy waters set against a
backdrop of soaring mountains, crystal-clear waterfalls and
unbelievably lush, green valleys. Scattered around the shores of the
fjord systems that dominate the area are several small settlements,
both ancient and present day, making South Greenland an ideal place to
explore.
The
magical Prins Christian Sund, a complex maze of narrow fjords and
channels, is a great place for cruising. You’ll explore this
stunning sound, home to calving glaciers, jagged mountains and sheer
cliffs that plunge dramatically into the water. Sailing this coastline
from the vantage point of your ship or a Zodiac is an exhilarating
experience. If conditions allow, venturing ashore provides
opportunities for all levels of hiking.
Steeped
in Norse history, the southern coast of Greenland provides plenty of
places to learn about this ancient culture. One such landing we hope to
make is at Hvalsey, the site of Greenland’s largest and
best-preserved Norse ruins. Exploring the remains of the circa
14th-century church will feel like stepping back in time, as the
building appears much as it did when it was abandoned in the 15th
century and the surrounding fells and fjord remain similarly untouched.
The
little village of Igaliku, home to about 30 inhabitants, is
Greenland’s oldest sheep-farming settlement. It’s a
charming place to go ashore, as sheep peacefully graze on the grass,
surrounded by bloom-covered rolling valleys and snow-capped mountains.
The area is also known for its storied past, as evidenced by the
remarkable red sandstone ruins of the Gardar cathedral (the largest
church in Greenland in the Middle Ages) and bishop’s
residence, which date back to the early 12th century, when
Greenland’s first bishop was appointed. Wandering the
foundations, excavated in 1926, you’ll get to see a bit of
history firsthand as you learn about this interesting relic of the
Viking period. Together with four other historic farming communities,
Igaliku is part of a newly established UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Days
8 to 13 - Exploring West Greenland
Your
exploration of Greenland begins with East Greenland, one of the least
visited and most remote parts of the island. Your days sailing along
the coast will be guided by weather and ice conditions, with each day
and each excursion presenting new adventures. The region is a sight to
behold, boasting a mesmerizing maze of vast glaciers, steep mountains
and breathtaking fjords.
One
location we hope to visit if conditions allow is Skjoldungen, where
you’ll cruise between the mountains to view glaciers deep
within the fjords surrounding this island. The narrow part of the fjord
provides an ideal place to put our Zodiacs in the water for a more
in-depth exploration.
If
conditions allow, you may also visit the site of an abandoned Inuit
settlement, whose inhabitants were relocated to larger, more accessible
towns around 1961. Exploring ashore, you’ll experience a true
arctic ghost town, complete with abandoned buildings, furniture and
even shoes! Hiking the rugged terrain rewards with impressive views of
snow-capped mountains, deep green waters and the surprisingly colorful
arctic tundra. This site is prone to insects, however, so have your
spray or netting at the ready.
If
you’re feeling even more adventurous, perhaps
you’ll treat yourself to an optional paddling excursion
(extra cost), an unforgettable opportunity to glide past icebergs and
glaciers and capture some photographs from a unique perspective.
Another
possible destination is Lindenow Fjord, a great spot for Zodiac
cruising, if conditions are favorable. This rarely visited deep fjord
is fed by a number of glaciers and offers ample opportunities for your
camera to get a workout. You’ll also want to keep watch for
bearded seals, as they’re known to haul out on the ice floes.
Day
14 - Disembark in Kangerlussuaq and Fly to Reykjavik
Enjoy
one more Zodiac ride to shore, where you’ll board your
charter flight back to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival in Reykjavik,
we will transfer you to your included hotel.
Day
15 - Depart Reykjavik, Iceland
Today,
you can make your way home at your leisure or spend some time exploring
this artistic city.
National Geographic Gemini (Luxury Expedition, 48-guests)
National Geographic Gemini provides an authentic, immersive Galápagos experience informed by our decades-long relationships with local communities and conservation groups. Launched in 2001, National Geographic Gemini is a highly maneuverable, shallow-draft expedition ship purpose built to explore remote areas with ease.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Shipboard
accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All
meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
- Beer
and house wine during dinner
- All
shore landings per the daily program
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
- All
Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Formal
and informal presentations by our
- Expedition
Team and special guests as scheduled
- Photographic
journal documenting the expedition
- Waterproof
expedition boots on loan for shore
- landings
- Official
Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Coffee,
tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Complimentary
reusable water bottle
- Hair
dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
- Comprehensive
onboard materials, including a map
- and
an informative Arctic Reader
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- throughout
the program
- All
luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency
evacuation insurance to a maximum
- benefit
of US$500,000 per person
- Greenland
voyages cruise passenger tax
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking
- Walking
/ Hiking
- Flight-seeing
